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Personal Information
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First Name
Thiruchenduran
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Last Name
Somasundaram
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Institution
Deakin University
Personal Details
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About Me
Thiru (Thiruchenduran Somasundaram) is a PhD researcher developing seaweed supplements for dairy cows in Australia under Deakin University Postgraduate Scholarship grants. He currently stationed in Deakin University Warrnambool campus, Victoria. Thiru is one of the past postharvest scientist at National Aquatic Resources Research and Development agency (NARA) in Sri Lanka. Thiru worked as a laboratory manager at NARA’s ISO 17025 accredited analytical chemical laboratory and carried out research on biochemical properties of native seaweed species and food fish species. As one of the cruise “Food Safety and Nutrition-Scientist”, Thiru cruised with R/V Dr Fridjtof Nansen sampling Sri Lankan territorial waters. He has contributed in expert scientific panels for FAO’s EAF-Nansen Programme at Institute of Marine Research, Bergen and at FAO headquarters Rome. He currently explores the potentials of seaweed as a supplement for dairy cattle in several platforms including, source of essential nutrients for cattle, natural way of fortifying milk and milk product and improving quality, mitigating health cow’s health issues like bloating and subacute rumen acidosis and reducing greenhouse gas emission through altering gut microbiota. Thiru believes networking is the most important quality of growing early career scientist.
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Research Interest
Future-Proofing Australian Agriculture with Seaweed Supplementation
Sea urchin fishery development in Sri Lanka, Nutrition and Food Safety (Part of this is
currently being conducted at NARA by Co-investigator)
Bioactive compound identification and Isolation from marine macro algae
Identification of seaweeds species and their locations around Sri Lanka
Heavy-metals and Microplastic concentration and fatty acid profiles of fish species
Feed Trials Using Chitosan Nanoparticle enhanced feeds
Assessment of the radioactive contamination of fisheries products distributed in Sri Lanka
Assessment of postharvest quality loss in modified multi-day boats
Response surface methodology optimization of glucosamine hydrochloride production
process (Lab scale)
Stabilization and shelf life extension of fish oil using nanolamination of fish oil in
chitosan nanoparticles
Sensory optimization of Gracilaria edulis (Red Seaweed) incorporated fish paste using
edible muscle portions of Decapterus russelli (Indian scad) trimmings from processing
lines employing sensory, physicochemical data and data analytics
Response surface methodology optimization of demineralization, deproteinization and
deacetylation of chitin
Handling practices and microbial safety of yellowfin tuna (thunnus albacares) landed at
the Dikkowita fishery harbour, Sri Lanka by multi-day boats
Extraction of chitosan from shrimp shell and crab shell industrial waste
Estimation of prevalence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) in smoked fish in Sri
Lanka and introducing intervention to reduce the PAH using natural filter materials
Assessment of DPPH scavenging activity, FRAP reducing power, Total Phenolic Content
and Total Flavonoid content of 105 food samples. Department of Foods and nutrition,
AICRP on Home Science, PJTSAU.
Post-harvest quality loss evaluation of fish in multiday boats in Sri Lanka
Antimicrobial activity of biogenic Zinc oxide nanoparticles and Chitosan nanoparticles –
Nanotechnology Laboratory, IFT, ANGRAU, Tirupati, India.
Encapsulation and characterization of bioactive compounds coated Chitosan nanoparticles
– Nanotechnology Laboratory, IFT, ANGRAU, Tirupati, India.
Extraction evaluation and application of bioactive compounds from Costus igneus leaf –
Post Graduate and Research Center, PJTSAU, Hyderabad.
Sensory optimization of an energy rich breakfast bar – Hyderabad. (Industrial
Collaboration)
Knowledge for Innovation – IDRC funded project on community waste management
Innovations in Solid Waste Services, LIRNEasia, Colombo 08.
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point analysis of Kenilworth Tea Factory of Watawala
Plantations Limited Identification and improvement of gaps in HACCP and GMP system at
Kenilworth Tea Factory of Watawala Plantations Limited, Ginigathhena, Sri Lanka.
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Education History
ISO 17025:2017 Implementation Workshop Conducted by UNIDO Sri Lanka in assisting
EU Trade related Assistance
1. Measuring Uncertainties in Laboratories, Methods and protocols for parameters
2. Internal Auditing
3. Preparation of manuals and documentation
4. Method Validation
Diploma in Diplomacy and World Affairs, 2019- Merit
Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka
M.Sc. Food Technology: 2016 – First Class with OGPA 8.28
Interfaculty P.G Programme, College of Home Science, Post Graduate and
Research Center PJTS Agricultural University. Hyderabad, India.
Research internship. 2015
Nanotechnology laboratory, Institute of Frontier Technology, Regional Agriculture
Research Station, ANGR – Agriculture University, Tirupati, India.
Advances in Food Processing Technologies for Value Addition and
Enterprise Development. 2015
Center for advanced faculty training, PJTS – Agriculture University, Hyderabad, India.
B.Sc. (Applied Science) in Food Science and Technology (Special): 2008 – II Class
Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of applied
Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. Belihuloya, Sri Lanka.
Workshop on Effective Research Proposal Writing – NSF, Sri Lanka, 2008
Secondary Education: 2001 – Royal College, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka. 2001
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Honours and Awards
Deakin university Postgraduate Scholarship
Moulana Azad Scholarship
Mahapola scholarship
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Other Work Experience
Deakin Casual Positions 2020 onwards
• Orientation Ambassador
• Mentor of Deakin
• Library Assistant
• Aquaculture Technician
Scientist and Deputy Quality Manager – Analytical Chemical Laboratory (ISO 17025
Accredited), Institute of Postharvest Technology, National Aquatic Resources Research
and Development Agency December 2016 – September 2019 (2 years and 9 months)
Visiting External Evaluator – Food Science and Technology Department, Aquainas
University College
Visiting Lecturer – National Training on “Recent Advances in Functional and
Nutraceuticals for Future Foods”, Chandra Shekar Azad University of Agriculture and
Technology, Kanpur, India, July, 2019.
Programme compiler – NARA Scientific Session, July 2019.
Coordinating assistant - APAARI Regional Workshop Local, July, 2019
Scientist (Expert, Country Representative) – Workshop on Nutrition and Food Safety,
FAO Head Quarters, Rome, Italy, July 2019.
Scientist (Country Representative, Food Safety and Nutrition) – Workshop on Food
Safety and Nutrition, Bergen, Norway, 2018.
Deputy Quality Manager–Expert (Equipment) – Technical Evaluation Committee,
NARA (2018 and 2019)
Communication officer – Colombo Seafood Festival 2017, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Technical Expert - Biochemical Analysis at All India Coordinated Research Project
June 2016 - November 2016
Research Scholar at PJTSAU August 2014 - June 2016
Intern at Nanotechnology Laboratory, Institute of Frontier Technology August 2015 -
September 2015
Observer - 2014 Common Alerting Protocol Implementation Workshop, Negombo
Production Manager at Aachie pvt ltd May 2010 - January 2014
Project Assistant at LIRNEasia November 2007 - June 2008
